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Abstract:

A display panel and a display device having the display panel are
discussed. According to an embodiment, the display panel includes a lower
substrate provided with a display area and a non-display area; a
plurality of data pad portions formed at a side region of the non-display
area; an upper substrate bonded to the lower substrate, except for the
side region of the non-display area; and at least one ground line
supplied with ground power, and formed on the lower substrate of the
non-display area to surround in part an outline portion of the display
area.

Claims:

1. A display panel comprising: a lower substrate provided with a display
area and a non-display area; a plurality of data pad portions formed at a
side region of the non-display area; an upper substrate bonded to the
lower substrate, except for the side region of the non-display area; and
at least one ground line supplied with ground power, and formed on the
lower substrate of the non-display area to surround in part an outline
portion of the display area.

2. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the at least one ground line
includes: a plurality of first ground lines partially formed on the side
region of the non-display area, and respectively provided between the
data pad portions; and a second ground line continuously formed on the
lower substrate of the non-display area to surround the outline portion
of the display area except for an area of the non-display area where the
plurality of data pad portions are formed.

3. The display panel of claim 2, wherein each of a first data pad portion
and a last data pad portion among the plurality of data pad portions
further comprises: a first ground pad connected to one of the plurality
of first ground lines, and a second ground pad connected to the second
ground line.

4. The display panel of claim 3, wherein each of the other data pad
portions among the plurality of data pad portions further comprises:
third and fourth ground pads connected to the first ground line and
formed at both sides of said each of the other data pads.

5. The display panel of claim 3, wherein the second ground line is
continuously formed on the lower substrate of the non-display area to
surround the outline portion of the display area, so that the second
ground line is connected to both the second ground pad of the first data
pad portion and the second ground pad of the last data pad portion.

6. The display panel of claim 1, further comprising: at least one gate
driving circuit formed in the lower substrate on the non-display area
adjacent to the display area, and configured to drive a plurality of gate
lines.

7. A display device comprising: a display unit including a display panel;
a guide frame for supporting the display unit; and a rear set cover for
supporting the guide frame, wherein the display panel comprises: a lower
substrate provided with a display area and a non-display area; a
plurality of data pad portions formed at one a side region of the
non-display area; an upper substrate bonded to the lower substrate,
except for the side region of the non-display area; and at least one
ground line supplied with a ground power, and formed on the lower
substrate of the non-display area to surround in part the an outline
portion of the display area.

8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the at least one ground line
includes: a plurality of first ground lines partially formed on the side
region of the non-display area, and respectively provided between the
data pad portions; and a second ground line continuously formed on the
lower substrate of the non-display area to surround the outline portion
of the display area except for an area of the non-display area where the
plurality of data pad portions are formed.

9. The display device of claim 8, wherein each of a first data pad
portion and a last data pad portion among the plurality of data pad
portions further comprises: a first ground pad connected to one of the
plurality of first ground lines, and a second ground pad connected to the
second ground line.

10. The display device of claim 9, wherein each of the other data pad
portions among the plurality of data pad portions further comprises:
third and fourth ground pads connected to the first ground line and
formed at both sides of said each of the other data pads.

11. The display device of claim 9, wherein the second ground line is
continuously formed on the lower substrate of the non-display area to
surround the outline portion of the display area, so that the second
ground line is connected to both the second ground pad of the first data
pad portion and the second ground pad of the last data pad portion.

12. The display device of claim 7, further comprising: at least one gate
driving circuit formed in the lower substrate on the non-display area
adjacent to the display area, and configured to drive a plurality of gate
lines.

13. The display device of claim 7, wherein the display unit further
includes a panel driver connected to the display panel to drive pixels
and supply the ground power to the at least one ground line.

14. The display device of claim 13, wherein the panel driver includes: a
plurality of circuit films connected to each of the plurality of data pad
portions; a plurality of data driving chips packaged in each of the
plurality of circuit films to supply data signals to the data lines; and
a printed circuit board connected to the plurality of circuit films to
supply the ground power to the at least one ground line.

15. The display device of claim 14, wherein the at least one ground line
is connected to the printed circuit board to form a closed loop.

16. The display device of claim 7, wherein the display device is without
a front set cover or an upper case.

17. The display device of claim 7, further comprising: a front set cover
coupled to the rear set cover to surround at least one side of the rear
set cover, the front set cover surrounding at least one front edge of the
display panel.

18. The display device of claim 7, further comprising: a fastener
configured to couple the display panel and the guide frame, wherein the
guide frame is coupled to the rear set cover and externally exposed to
surround a side of the display panel and form a front edge of the display
device.

19. A display device comprising: a display unit including a display panel
and a backlight unit; a guide frame disposed in part between the display
panel and the backlight unit and including a panel supporter for
supporting the display panel thereon; and a rear set cover including an
area for receiving the backlight unit therein, wherein either a portion
of the guide frame or a portion of the rear set cover extends forwardly
so as to form a front face of the display device along with the display
panel.

20. The display device of claim 19, wherein the display panel comprises:
a lower substrate provided with a display area and a non-display area; a
plurality of data pad portions formed at one a side region of the
non-display area; an upper substrate bonded to the lower substrate,
except for the side region of the non-display area; and at least one
ground line supplied with a ground power, and formed on the lower
substrate of the non-display area to surround in part the an outline
portion of the display area.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of the Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2010-0058960 filed on Jun. 22, 2010, which is hereby
incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a display device, and more
particularly, to a display panel and a display device comprising the
same, in which a thickness of the display device can be minimized and an
electrostatic defect can be prevented from occurring by removing some of
a case and/or set cover parts regarded as necessities of a display
product and thereby improving tolerance against static electricity.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0005] Recently, various flat panel display devices, which can reduce
weight and volume acting as disadvantages of a cathode ray tube, have
been developed. Although flat panel display devices such as a liquid
crystal display device, a plasma display panel, a field emission display
device, and a light emitting display device have been actively studied,
the liquid crystal display device has received much attention owing to
its advantages of mass production technology, facilitation of a driving
means, and high picture quality.

[0006] Recently, with the research and development in technical aspects of
the flat panel display devices, there is a need for the research and
development in design aspects of products that can appeal to consumers.
In this respect, efforts to minimize or reduce the thickness of a display
device have been made, and the need for a display design having an
increased aesthetic sense has increased gradually to appeal to the
aesthetic sense of the consumers and buyers.

[0007] Although some designs for the slimness of the display device or
more aesthetically pleasing display devices have been developed, such
designs have maintained the existing elements of the display device with
their structures being modified. In those cases, however, there are
limitations in reducing the thickness of the display device and
developing a new and innovative design for the display device.

[0008] For example, according to the related art, a liquid crystal display
device requires a lower case and an upper case to receive a display panel
and a back light unit. Also, in order to make the liquid crystal display
device products such as notebook computers, monitors, mobile devices and
televisions to be sufficiently rigid, separate front and rear set covers
have been used additionally. As a result, in addition to the lower case
and the upper case, the front and rear set covers were required for the
related art display devices/products, which in turn limits reducing the
thickness of the liquid crystal display device or modifying the design of
the liquid crystal display device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a display panel
and a display device comprising the same, which substantially obviate one
or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0010] An advantage of the present invention is to provide a display panel
and a display device comprising the same, in which a thickness of the
display device can be minimized and an electrostatic defect can be
prevented from occurring by removing some of a case and/or set cover
parts previously regarded as required in related art display products and
thereby improving the tolerance against static electricity.

[0011] Additional advantages and features of the invention will be set
forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become
apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of
the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The
objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and
attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written
description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0012] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance
with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described
herein, a display panel according to an embodiment of the present
invention comprises a lower substrate provided with a display area and a
non-display area; a plurality of data pad portions formed at one side
region of the non-display area; an upper substrate bonded to the lower
substrate except the side region of the non-display area; and a ground
line supplied with a ground power, and formed on the lower substrate of
the non-display area to surround the outline portion of the display area
except the data pad portions.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, a display device
comprises a display unit including a display panel; a guide frame
supporting the display unit; and a rear set cover supporting the guide
frame, wherein the display panel comprises: a lower substrate provided
with a display area and a non-display area, the display area having a
plurality of pixels formed per pixel area defined by crossing between a
plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, and the
non-display area being provided at an outline portion of the display
area; a plurality of data pad portions formed at one side region of the
non-display area, the plurality data pad portions having a plurality of
data pads connected to the plurality of data lines; an upper substrate
bonded to the lower substrate except the side region of the non-display
area; and a ground line supplied with a ground power, and formed on the
lower substrate of the non-display area to surround the outline portion
of the display area except the data pad portions.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the invention, a display panel
includes a lower substrate provided with a display area and a non-display
area; a plurality of data pad portions formed at a side region of the
non-display area; an upper substrate bonded to the lower substrate,
except for the side region of the non-display area; and at least one
ground line supplied with ground power, and formed on the lower substrate
of the non-display area to surround in part an outline portion of the
display area.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention, a display device
includes a display unit including a display panel; a guide frame for
supporting the display unit; and a rear set cover for supporting the
guide frame, wherein the display panel includes: a lower substrate
provided with a display area and a non-display area; a plurality of data
pad portions formed at one a side region of the non-display area; an
upper substrate bonded to the lower substrate, except for the side region
of the non-display area; and at least one ground line supplied with a
ground power, and formed on the lower substrate of the non-display area
to surround in part the an outline portion of the display area.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention, a display device
includes a display unit including a display panel and a backlight unit; a
guide frame disposed in part between the display panel and the backlight
unit and including a panel supporter for supporting the display panel
thereon; and a rear set cover including an area for receiving the
backlight unit therein, wherein either a portion of the guide frame or a
portion of the rear set cover extends forwardly so as to form a front
face of the display device along with the display panel.

[0017] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description of the present invention are
exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation
of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a
part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and
together with the description serve to explain the principle of the
invention. In the drawings:

[0019] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display
device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a section taken along line
A-A of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a plane view illustrating a display panel and a panel
driver illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a display device according
to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a display device according
to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024]FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a display device according
to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments
of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will
be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0026] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display
device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a section taken along line A-A of
FIG. 1.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display device according to the
first embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit 100, a
guide frame 200, a rear set cover 300, and a front set cover 400. The
display unit 100 includes a display panel 110, a panel driver 120, and a
back light unit 130. All the components of the display device are
operatively coupled and configured.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the display panel 110 includes a lower
substrate 112, a plurality of data pad portions DPP1, DPP2 and DPP3, a
ground line 114, and an upper substrate 116. The lower substrate 112
includes a display area AA (or called as an active area) and a
non-display area provided at an outline portion of the display area AA.
The non-display area may surround the display area AA.

[0029] Preferably the display area AA is defined by all outer portions
except for the edge portions of the lower substrate 112 to display a
predetermined image. For this, the display area AA includes a plurality
of pixels P formed per pixel area defined by crossing between a plurality
of gate lines GL and a plurality of data lines DL.

[0030] Each of the pixels P includes a thin film transistor connected to
the corresponding gate line GL and the corresponding data line DL, a
pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, and a common
electrode formed to adjoin the pixel electrode, wherein a common voltage
is applied to the common electrode. At this time, the common electrode
may be formed in the upper substrate 116 depending on a driving mode of a
liquid crystal layer. The lower substrate 112 controls the light
transmittance of the liquid crystal layer by forming an electric field
corresponding to a secondary voltage of the common voltage and a data
signal applied to each pixel P.

[0031] The non-display area is generally defined by edge portions of the
lower substrate 112 to correspond to the outline portion of the display
area AA.

[0032] The plurality of data pad portions DPP1, DPP2 and DPP3 are
respectively formed above the non-display area at predetermined
intervals, and each of the data pad portions includes a plurality of data
pads DP electrically connected to the plurality of data lines DL. In this
case, each of the plurality of data pad portions DPP1, DPP2 and DPP3 has
N data pads DP connected to N data lines DL.

[0033] Each of the plurality of data pads DP is electrically connected to
the panel driver 120 and supplies a data signal, which is supplied from
the panel driver 120, to the corresponding data line DL.

[0034] The ground line 114 is formed in the non-display area to surround
the outline portion of the lower substrate 112 other than a part above
the non-display area where the plurality of data pad portions DPP1, DPP2
and DPP3 are formed, thereby improving the tolerance characteristics
against the static electricity externally generated and thereby
preventing an electrostatic defect from occurring. For this, the ground
line 114 includes a plurality of first ground lines 114a and a second
ground line 114b.

[0035] Each of the plurality of first ground lines 114a is formed above
the non-display area, and is formed between the respective data pad
portions DPP1, DPP2 and DPP3. A ground power is supplied from the panel
driver 120 to each of the plurality of first ground lines 114a through
each of the plurality of data pad portions DPP1, DPP2 and DPP3. For this,
each of the first data pad portion DPP1 and the last data pad portion
DPP3 further includes a first ground pad connected to the first ground
lines 114a adjacent to its one side, and a second ground pad connected to
the second ground line. The other data pad portion DPP2 except the first
data pad portion DPP1 and the last data pad portion DPP3 further includes
third and fourth ground pads connected to the first ground lines 114a
adjacent to its both sides. Although in FIG. 3, three data pad portions
DPP1-DPP3 are shown, any number of data pad portions can be present.

[0036] The second ground line 114b is continuously formed in the
non-display area to surround the outline portion of the lower substrate,
except for the part above the non-display area where the plurality of
first ground lines 114a and the plurality of data pad portions DPP1, DPP2
and DPP3 are formed. For instance, the second ground line 114b is
continuously formed with seamlessness to be connected to the non-display
area at the left upper side, the left side, the lower side, the right
side, and the right upper side of the lower substrate 112. At this time,
one end of the second ground line 114b is connected to the second ground
pad of the first data pad portion DPP1, and its other end is connected to
the second ground pad of the last data pad portion DPP3.

[0037] The aforementioned first ground lines 114a and the second ground
line 114b may be formed together with the gate lines GL or the data lines
DL. For instance, when the gate lines and data lines are formed, the
first and second ground lines 114a and 114b may be formed at the same or
similar time.

[0038] Meanwhile, the lower substrate 112 further includes first and
second gate driving circuits 140 and 150. The first gate driving circuit
140 is formed in the non-display area adjacent the left side of the
display area AA when the pixels P are formed, thereby driving the gate
lines GL. For this, the first gate driving circuit 140 includes gate
control signal lines to which a plurality of gate control signals from
the panel driver 120 are supplied, and a plurality of stages generating
gate signals in accordance with the plurality of gate control signals to
sequentially supply the generated gate signals to the gate lines GL. In
this case, the plurality of gate control signals may be gate start pulses
or a plurality of gate clock signals. The first gate driving circuit 140
generates the gate signals in accordance with sequential driving of the
plurality of stages to sequentially supply the generated gate signals to
the odd numbered gate lines of the plurality of gate lines GL.

[0039] The second gate driving circuit 150 is formed in the non-display
area adjacent the right side of the display area AA when the pixels P are
formed, thereby driving the gate lines GL. For this, the second gate
driving circuit 150 includes gate control signal lines and a plurality of
stages in the same manner as the first gate driving circuit 140. The
second gate driving circuit 150 generates gate signals in accordance with
sequential driving of the plurality of stages to sequentially supply the
generated gate signals to the even numbered gate lines of the plurality
of gate lines GL.

[0040] Meanwhile, although it has been described that the first and second
gate driving circuits 140 and 150 supply the gate signals to their
respective gate lines, the first and second gate driving circuits 140 and
150 may supply the gate signals to the same gate lines if the display
panel 110 has a large size. Further, as a variation, the first and second
gate driving circuits 140 and 150 may supply the gate signals to even
numbered gate lines and odd numbered gate lines, respectively.

[0041] Also, although it has been described in the first embodiment that
the first and second gate driving circuits 140 and 150 are formed in the
lower substrate 112, the invention is not limited to the embodiment. For
instance, any one of the first and second gate driving circuits 140 and
150 may alone be formed to sequentially supply the gate signals to all of
the plurality of gate lines.

[0042] Moreover, although it has been described in the first embodiment
that the first and second gate driving circuits 140 and 150 are directly
formed in the non-display area of the lower substrate 112, the invention
is not limited to this example. For instance, the first and second gate
driving circuits 140 and 150 may be manufactured as separate driving
chip(s) so that they may be packaged in the aforementioned non-display
area, or may be packaged in separate circuit film(s) and then attached to
the aforementioned non-display area.

[0043] The upper substrate 116 preferably includes a color filter
corresponding to each of the pixels formed in the lower substrate 112.
Also, a common electrode to which a common voltage is supplied in
accordance with a driving mode of the display panel 110 may be formed in
the upper substrate 116. As a variation, the common electrode may be
formed in the lower substrate 112. The upper substrate 116 is bonded to
the lower substrate 112 except for the areas where the plurality of data
pad portions DPP1, DPP2 and DPP3 are provided. The liquid crystal layer
is formed between the lower substrate 112 and the upper substrate 116.

[0045] Meanwhile, a detailed structure of the lower and upper substrates
112 and 116 may vary according to the driving mode of the display panel
110, for example, Twisted Nematic (TN) mode, Vertical Alignment (VA)
mode, In-Plane Switching (IPS) mode, Fringe Field Switching (FFS) mode,
and etc., which are generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0046] Meanwhile, the display panel 110, as shown in FIG. 2, further
includes a lower polarizer 118 and an upper polarizer 119. The lower
polarizer 118 is formed on a rear surface of the lower substrate 112 and
polarizes incident light from the back light unit 130 and then irradiates
the polarized light to the lower substrate 112.

[0047] The upper polarizer 119 is formed on a top surface of the upper
substrate 116 and polarizes the incident light through the upper
substrate 116 and then emits the polarized light to the outside.

[0048] In FIG. 1, the panel driver 120, as shown in FIG. 3 includes a
plurality of circuit films 122, a plurality of data driving chips 124,
and a printed circuit board 126.

[0049] Each of the plurality of circuit films 122 is connected to each of
the plurality of data pad portions DPP1, DPP2 and DPP3 provided in the
non-display area above the lower substrate, thereby being connected to
the corresponding data line DL. At this time, each of the plurality of
circuit films 122 is attached to each of the plurality of data pad
portions DPP1, DPP2 and DPP3 by a TAB (tape automated bonding) process.
Each of the plurality of circuit films 122 can be made of a TCP (tape
carrier package) or COF (chip on flexible board or chip on film), which
has a plurality of input and output pads 122a and 122b.

[0050] Meanwhile, each of the plurality of circuit films 122 further
includes one or more ground power pads 122c connected to the printed
circuit board 126 and the ground pad of each of the plurality of data pad
portions, for supplying a ground power to the ground pad, wherein the
ground power from the printed circuit board 126 is supplied to the ground
power pads 122c and to the ground lines 114a and 114b. In this case, the
ground line 114 is formed in the non-display area of the other lower
substrate 112, except for a part above the non-display area where the
plurality of data pad portions DPP1, DPP2 and DPP3 are formed, and at the
same time the ground line 114 is connected to the printed circuit board
126. As a result, a closed loop is formed, whereby tolerance of the
display panel 110 is improved.

[0051] The plurality of data driving chips 124 are packaged in each of the
plurality of circuit films 122. The plurality of data driving chips 124
convert image data supplied from the input pads 122a of the circuit film
122 to a data signal of an analog type, and supply the converted data
signal to the corresponding data line through the output pads 122b of the
circuit film 122.

[0052] The printed circuit board 126 is attached to the input pads 122a of
each of the plurality circuit films 122 through the TAB process. The
printed circuit board 126 supplies image data to the plurality of data
driving chips 124 and at the same time supplies a control signal for
displaying an image in the display panel 110 and a driving power (for
example, driving voltage, gamma voltage, ground power, etc.) to the
display panel. For this, a timing controller for generating image data
and control signal(s) and a driving power generator 128 for generating a
driving power are preferably packaged in the printed circuit board 126.

[0053] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the back light unit 130 irradiates light to the
rear surface of the display panel 110. For this, the back light unit 130
includes a light-guide plate 132, a light source 134, a reflecting sheet
136, and an optical member 138.

[0054] The light-guide plate 132 is formed to have an incident light
surface, and guides the light incident upon the incident light surface to
the display panel 110. The light source 134 is arranged to face the
incident light surface of the light-guide plate 132 and irradiates the
light to the incident light surface of the light-guide plate 132. For
this, the light source 134 may include one or more fluorescent lamps or
one or more light-emitting diodes. The light source 134 may be disposed
at one or more sides of the light-guide plate 132 or as a variation, may
be disposed at a rear side of the light-guide plate 132,

[0055] The reflecting sheet 136 is arranged on the rear surface of the
light-guide plate 132 to reflect the incident light from the light-guide
plate 132 towards the light-guide plate 132.

[0056] The optical member 138 is arranged on the light-guide plate 132 and
improves luminance characteristics of the light ongoing from the
light-guide plate 132 to the display panel 110. For this, the optical
member 138 may include one or more of a lower diffusion sheet, a lower
prism sheet, an upper prism sheet, and an upper diffusion sheet.

[0057] The lower diffusion sheet is arranged on the light-guide plate 132
to diffuse the light from the light-guide plate 132 and irradiates the
light to the lower prism sheet. The lower prism sheet is arranged on the
lower diffusion sheet and condenses the incident light from the lower
diffusion sheet in a first direction to irradiate the condensed light to
the upper prism sheet. In this case, the first direction may correspond
to a longitudinal or short direction of the light-guide plate 132.

[0058] The upper prism is arranged on the lower prism sheet and condenses
the light from the lower prism sheet in a second direction to irradiate
the condensed light to the upper diffusion sheet. In this case, the
second direction may be orthogonal to the first direction. The upper
diffusion sheet is arranged on the upper prism sheet and diffuses the
incident light from the upper prism sheet to irradiate the diffused light
to the display panel 110.

[0059] As a variation, at least one of the lower diffusion sheet, the
lower prism sheet, the upper prism sheet, and the upper diffusion sheet
may be omitted depending on the structure of the back light unit 130.

[0060] Further, the aforementioned display unit 100 may be comprised of a
light emitting display unit that includes a light emitting display panel
having an organic light emitting element and a panel driver, instead of a
liquid crystal display unit that includes the display panel 110, the
panel driver 120 and the back light unit 130.

[0061] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide frame 200 supports the display panel
110. For this, the guide frame 200 includes a guide sidewall 210 and a
panel supporter 220. The guide sidewall 210 is vertically or
substantially vertically formed to surround the side of the display panel
110. The panel supporter 220 is horizontally protruded from the inner
wall of the guide sidewall 210 to support rear edge(s) of the display
panel 110. At this time, the panel supporter 220 may be formed to apply
pressure on the optical member 138 of the back light unit 130, thereby
preventing the optical member 138 from moving within the enclosed
structure.

[0062] The rear set cover 300 receives the back light unit 130 therein and
supports the guide frame 200 to surround the side(s) of the guide frame
200. For this, the rear set cover 300 includes a stair type step portion
310 at one or more inner sides of the rear set cover 300. For instance,
the stair type step portion 310 may be formed at the inner sidewalls of
the rear set cover 300 to form a frame mounting portion 312 where the
guide frame 200 is securely mounted, and a receiving portion 314 where
the back light unit 130 is securely positioned.

[0063] The front set cover 400 is coupled to the rear set cover 300 to
surround the sides of the rear set cover 300, thereby surrounding the
front corners of the display panel 110, whereby the front edges of the
display device are formed. At this time, the front set cover 400 and the
rear set cover 300 may be further secured to each other by a hook or
other fasteners. In this case, the front set cover 400 may be formed of a
plastic material to have a square frame shape. However, other shapes are
possible.

[0064] The display device according to the first embodiment of the present
invention allows the back light unit 130 and the guide frame 200 where
the display panel 110 is mounted, to be received securely within the rear
set cover 300, and at the same time, the display device surrounds the
side(s) and the front corner(s) of the rear set cover 300 by using the
front set cover 400, whereby the entire thickness of the display device
is reduced effectively reduced while securing the elements within the
display device. As a result, according to the first embodiment of the
present invention, the lower and upper cases of the display device, which
were always used and required in the conventional display devices, have
been eliminated. Instead, a more effective and compact structure is
provided in the invention, which reduces the thickness of the display
device further while allowing the elements within the display device to
be securely positioned.

[0065] Also, in the display device according to the first embodiment of
the present invention, as the ground line 114 is formed at the
non-display area of the lower substrate 112 to surround the display area
AA, except for the part above the non-display area where the plurality of
data pad portions DPP1, DPP2 and DPP3 are formed. Due to this
configuration, tolerance against the static electricity can be improved
through the ground line 114, whereby an electrostatic defect, which can
be caused by an omission of the upper case in the present display device,
is prevented from occurring.

[0066]FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a display device according
to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 4, the display device according to the second
embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit 100, a guide
frame 200, and a rear set cover 300. All components of the display device
of FIG. 4 are operatively coupled and configured. The display device
according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same
as the display device of the first embodiment of the present invention,
except that the front set cover 400 is omitted and the guide frame 200
and the rear set cover 300 in FIG. 4 are partially different from those
of the first embodiment in their structures. Accordingly, a part of the
description of the configuration of the second embodiment, which is the
same as that of the first embodiment, is omitted or briefly discussed.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 4, the guide frame 200 is externally exposed to
surround the sides of the display panel 110, whereby the front edges of
the display device are formed. For this, the guide frame 200 includes a
guide sidewall 210, a panel supporter 220, a set cover insertion groove
230, and a first coupling member 232. As mentioned above, the display
unit 100 in FIG. 4 has the same configuration/structure as the display
unit 100 of FIG. 1.

[0069] The guide sidewall 210 is vertically or substantially vertically
formed to surround the sides of the display panel 110 and the sides of
the back light unit 130. At this time, a front surface and a side area of
the guide sidewall 210 are externally exposed to form the front edge of
the display panel 110.

[0070] The panel supporter 220 is horizontally or substantially
horizontally protruded from the inner wall of the guide sidewall 210 to
support rear edge/side portions of the display panel 110. At this time,
an adhesive member 250 (or other fastener or fastening configuration) may
be additionally attached or provided to the panel supporter 220 so that
the display panel 110 is more securely fixed within the guide frame. The
display panel 110 is attached to or securely positioned by the adhesive
member 250. In this case, the adhesive member 250 may be attached or
fixed to the lower polarizer 118 attached to either the rear surface of
the display panel 110 and/or to the edge portion of the lower substrate
112. In this case, the display panel 110 is securely mounted on the panel
supporter 220 by the adhesive member 250 or other fasteners.

[0071] The set cover insertion groove 230 is recessed to have a
predetermined depth from the outer wall of the other guide sidewall 210,
except for the front surface and the side 212 on the guide sidewall 210.
The sidewall of the rear set cover 300 is inserted into the set cover
insertion groove 230 so that the rear set cover 300 and the guide frame
200 are securely coupled with each other to function as a casing for the
display panel 110 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0072] The first coupling member 232 is formed at a surface of the set
cover insertion groove 230 to have a tilt surface 232a and an end portion
232b, and allows the guide frame 200 to be coupled to the rear set cover
300 more effectively. At this time, the first coupling member 232 may be
formed to have a protrusion shape.

[0073] The rear set cover 300 receives the back light unit 130 and at the
same time supports the guide frame 200 to surround the sides of the guide
frame 200. For this, the rear set cover 300 includes a set plate 330, a
set sidewall 340, and a second coupling member 342.

[0074] The set plate 330 is formed in a flat type to support and receive
the back light unit 130 therein. The set sidewall 340 is vertically or
substantially vertically formed by being bent from an edge portion of the
set plate 330, thereby forming a receiving portion in which the back
light unit 130 is positioned, and supporting the guide frame 200. The set
sidewall 340 is inserted into the set cover insertion groove 230.

[0075] The second coupling member 342 is formed at the inner wall of the
set sidewall 340 in a groove shape, and is coupled with the first
coupling member 232 formed in the guide frame 200. Alternatively, the
second coupling member 342 may be formed in a protrusion shape, while the
first coupling member 232 is formed in a grooves shape so that they are
coupled with each other. Other configurations may be used to couple the
first and second coupling members 232 and 342 with each other, thereby
providing a securing mechanism for the display device.

[0076] In the display device according to the second embodiment of the
present invention, the upper case (that was present in the conventional
display devices) and the front set cover (that was present in FIG. 1) are
all omitted. As such, foreign substances such as dust may penetrate into
the display unit 100 through a gap existing between the side of the
display panel 110 and the guide frame 200. That is, in manufacturing each
of the display panel 110 and the guide frame 200, a gap may exist between
the side of the display panel 110 and the guide sidewall 210 of the guide
frame 200 due to the process error. Accordingly, the display device in
the second embodiment of the present invention can further include a
sealing member for sealing such gaps. In that case, the sealing member
may have a ring shape and may be inserted into the gap(s), a pin shape
having a head portion, or a film shape attached between the display panel
110 and the guide frame 200 to cover the gap(s). The sealing member may
have the same color as that of the guide frame 200, so that aesthetic
effect may not be compromised due to the difference in color from the
guide frame 200.

[0077] In the aforementioned display device according to the second
embodiment of the present invention, the display panel 110 is mounted on
the guide frame 200 through the adhesive member 250, and the guide frame
200 is coupled to the rear set cover 300, whereby the front set cover can
be omitted compared to the first embodiment. In this way, according to
the second embodiment of the present invention, as the front set cover
400 of the first embodiment is omitted, the thickness of the display
device can be further reduced. Also, as the tolerance against the static
electricity can be improved through the ground line formed in the display
panel 110, an electrostatic defect which can be caused by the omission of
the upper case and the front set cover, can be prevented from occurring.

[0078] Moreover, according to the second embodiment of the present
invention, as the front edge portions of the display device are formed by
the guide frame 200 in part, the upper surface 212 of the guide frame 200
and the display panel 110 are only exposed to users, whereby the edge
portions of the display panel 110 can be minimized to improve aesthetic
effects.

[0079] In the display device according to the second embodiment of the
present invention, although it has been described that the front set
cover (400) is omitted, and the front edge portions of the display panel
110 are formed by the guide frame 200 to improve the aesthetic effect of
the edge portions of the display panel 110, deterioration of the
aesthetic effect due to the omission of the front set cover can be
prevented from occurring through a structural modification of the guide
frame 200 and/or the rear set cover 300 only. In this case, the other
configuration of the display device, except for the structural
modification of the guide frame 200 and/or the rear set cover 300 only,
is the same as that of the second embodiment or FIG. 4.

[0080] For example, as shown in FIG. 5 according to a third embodiment of
the present invention, the guide frame 200 of the display device
surrounds the outer wall of the set sidewall 340 and at the same time
surrounds the side of the display panel 110 to form the front edges of
the display panel 110, whereby the aesthetic effect of the edge portion
of the display device can be improved. For instance, because the outer
sides of the display device in FIG. 5 are established entirely by the
walls of the guide frame 200, as compared to both the guide frame 200 and
the rear set cover 300 as in FIG. 4 for example, the aesthetic aspects of
the display device in FIG. 5 may be improved. The display unit 100 in
FIG. 5 has the same configuration/structure as the display unit 100 of
FIG. 1.

[0081] For another example, as shown in FIG. 6 according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention, the rear set cover 300 of the
display device surrounds the sides of the guide frame 200 and at the same
time surrounds the sides of the display panel 110 to form the front edges
of the display panel 110, whereby the aesthetic effect of the edge
portions of the display device can be improved. For instance, because the
outer sides of the display device in FIG. 6 are established entirely by
the walls of the rear set cover 300, as compared to both the guide frame
200 and the rear set cover 300 as in FIG. 4 for example, the aesthetic
aspects of the display device in FIG. 6 may be improved. The display unit
100 in FIG. 6 has the same configuration/structure as the display unit
100 of FIG. 1. Further, the fastener such as 250 of FIG. 4 can be
provided in the display device of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0082] According to the embodiments of the present invention, one or more
features discussed in one of the embodiments/examples can be applied to
any of the other embodiments/examples. Features discussed in two or more
embodiments/examples may be combined into a single display device. The
display devices of the present invention can be various display types
such as liquid crystal display devices, OLED display devices, etc.

[0083] As described above, the display panel and the display device
comprising the same according to the embodiments of the present invention
have the following advantages.

[0084] First of all, as the lower and upper cases which were regarded as
the necessities of the conventional display device are omitted, the
thickness of the display device in the invention can be minimized.

[0085] Second, as the ground line is formed in the non-display area of the
lower substrate except for a part of the non-display area to surround the
display area in the invention, tolerance against static electricity can
be improved through the ground line, whereby an electrostatic defect
caused by omission of the upper case can be prevented from occurring.

[0086] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without
departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers the modifications and
variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the
appended claims and their equivalents.

Patent applications in class For electronic systems and devices

Patent applications in all subclasses For electronic systems and devices